Digital Use, 24-Hour Movement Behaviors, and Myofascial Release in University Students With Neck Pain

This study will examine how smartphone use recorded by the phone and daily sleep, sitting, and physical activity are related to neck posture, sensitivity to pressure, and body awareness in university students aged 18 to 30 years. One hundred students will complete seven days of smartphone and activity monitoring and clinical assessments. Among these students, 56 who have nonspecific neck pain for at least three months, average pain of at least 3 out of 10, and forward head posture will be randomly assigned to integrated myofascial release or a light-touch control. Both groups will receive six sessions over two weeks. An assessor who does not know the assigned group will measure outcomes before and after treatment and, where feasible, one month after treatment. The study will investigate whether myofascial release improves neck pain, pressure pain threshold, posture, movement, disability, and awareness.